Penn State wrestling gets clarity at key weight battles

Penn State wrestling is off and running with the 2024-25 season after dominant performances in a dual win over Drexel and at the Black Knight Invitational. With the starting roles at several key weight classes still up for grabs, last weekend’s tournament in West Point, New York, provided Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions coaching staff with valuable data and insights heading into December.

As a result of multiple notable head-to-head bouts between Penn State wrestlers at the Black Knight Invitational, we may now know who the Nittany Lions ultimately decide to start at 157 and 197 pounds this year.

Kasak defeats Facundo in battle to be Penn State starter at 157

© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The battle for the 157-pound starting spot has been one of the big discussions heading into the season.

Tyler Kasak moved up from 149 pounds after finishing third at the 2024 NCAA Championships last year. Alex Facundo dropped from 165 pounds after taking an Olympic redshirt in 2023-24.

Most of the national media seemed to think that Kasak would be the one to win the lineup battle, and he entered the season ranked No. 4 in the country by InterMat. However, there were some rumors that Facundo had beaten Kasak during a wrestle-off – but how much stock you can take in those rumors is limited.

On Sunday, we saw the two wrestlers take the mat at the Black Knight Invitational in a match that offered some clarity for the competition. Kasak picked up an early takedown and held off Facundo for a 5-2 win. It was a match in which Kasak seemed to be in control and came out as the better wrestler, something that many anticipated.

However, one match probably won’t decide who is the starter for the postseason. Cael Sanderson made it clear that he wants to see the two wrestlers continue to compete and get opportunities against tougher competition as the season progresses. Right now, it appears that Tyler Kasak is in the driver’s seat not just to win the starting job but also to contend to win the National Championship.

Barr dominates Cochran ahead of huge test for Nittany Lions at 197

The 197-pound battle was another question mark within the Penn State wrestling lineup that appeared to have two good options for Sanderson.

Lucas Cochran entered 2024-25 with a solid 27-7 in three seasons with the Nittany Lions and still has two years of eligibility left. Josh Barr went 14-0 during his redshirt freshman season and had a 73.33 bonus percentage in his limited tournament matches in 2024. Barr was the 8th highest-ranked recruit in the class of 2023 when he committed to Penn State. InterMat ranked him No. 23 in the country at 197 pounds in the preseason, and many projected him as the starter.

On Sunday, we got a good look at what to expect moving forward as Barr dominated Cochran with a 10-1 major decision. The win came after Barr also defeated true freshman teammate Connor Mirasola by an 11-0 major decision prior to the Final.

It seems pretty obvious that Barr is the most talented 197-pound option that Penn State wrestling has and should be the starter moving forward. Cael Sanderson will most likely continue to give Cochran opportunities moving forward, but Barr seems to have the most upside of reaching All-American status in March.

Penn State wrestling will next travel to the PPL Center in Allentown on December 8 to take on No. 23 Lehigh. That will be a massive measuring stick matchup for Cochran or Barr, who will face No. 6 Michael Beard (9-0) on the road.

If either can defeat Beard, it will vault them up the rankings and immediately put them into All-American contention. If Sanderson decides to go with Barr after this weekend and he pulls off the upset, it should lock him at 197 pounds for the rest of the season.

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